Double Identity Read Online Free PDF Page B

Holly’s apple pie…on me. What do you say?”
    Spittle ran down the man’s whiskered chin as he spat out his words. “Your mama broke my friend’s heart. He was never the same after she run off. Never.”
    Cain stepped between the two of them. “Charlie, don’t make me have to ask you to leave. Go sit down. Now.” His lowered voice and stern, no-nonsense tone brought chills up on her arms. She had a glimpse of what Cain must have been like when he was a cop, and she was glad she wasn’t a criminal on the receiving end of his wrath. Silence fell over the diner as the other patrons watched the scene unfolding before them.
    “Do you know who this is?” Charlie yelled, flailing his arms and looking around at the people in the surrounding booths. “This is George Weatherly’s no-good kin. The daughter of the brat who ran off and broke his heart.”
    “That’s it. You’re out of here.” Cain grabbed the man’s belt and heaved him toward the exit.
    “We don’t want your kind in this town, missy,” he yelled as Cain lifted him through the doorway. “You hear me? We don’t want you in our town.”
    Sophie couldn’t believe what had just happened. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she shot furtive glances around the room and saw people staring at her and whispering.
    “Don’t worry about old Charlie.” Holly patted her hand. “Every town has its drunk and Charlie’s ours. Don’t pay attention to anything he says.”
    Sophie glanced from side to side. Whenever she made eye contact with the other diners, the people looked away. She didn’t really understand what had just happened. She only knew that the entire incident made her feel embarrassed, ashamed and dirty.
    She buried her head in her hands. How could this day get any worse?
    A strong hand cupped her shoulder. “You’ve had enough excitement for one day. Why don’t I take you home?”
    Emptiness filled her insides when his hand moved away. She longed for the comfort. She longed for someone to hold her and tell her that all this craziness would disappear and everything would soon be back to normal. If anything would ever be normal again.
    “We’ll sit down tomorrow morning,” Cain said as he led her to his car, “after you’ve had a good night’s sleep, and we’ll talk it all out.”
    Sophie was amazed at how easy and comfortable she felt with this man.
    Maybe he’d be able to help her after all. Her father had taught her God never closes a door without opening another one. Sophie had prayed so hard for someone to help her find her father, to help her solve the puzzle of his disappearance and maybe even discover her true identity. Was Cain an answer to her prayers?
    She stared at his profile, the firm set to his jaw, the perfect line of his nose. A hunk of errant hair refused to stay in place and fell on his forehead, drawing attention to his newly blackened eye, which came from his earlier superhero rescue. This morning he had been nothing more than a name in a church business directory. This afternoon he was not only the man who had saved her life but a man who was quickly becoming a friend.
    The miles flew by and Sophie was surprised when the car pulled to a stop. Cain shut the engine off, hurried around and opened her door. She tried not to laugh. When was the last time anyone had held a car door open for her? Duh, never.
    “Thanks for everything, Cain.” She climbed out and smiled up at him, the door between the two of them. “Just the thought of what could have happened to me today if you hadn’t done what you did…”
    “Glad I could help.”
    When he started up the sidewalk with her, she said, “You don’t have to come in. I’m fine. I know you have to get back to your office.”
    “Trying to get rid of me, are you?” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “I’m not leaving until I’m sure you’re safely inside.”
    Sophie preceded him up the sidewalk to the small but picturesque cottage and drew in a sharp breath.